Method and apparatus for use in enhancing explosive leg power

Abstract

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for use in enhancing explosive leg power. Included is a supporting device for supporting an object which is selected to maximally motivate the individual seeking explosive leg power. Included is a device for allowing the individual to displace the object and for retracting the object upon release of the object.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for use in enhancing explosive jumping leg power of an individual comprising: object supporting means vertically movable to a plurality of discrete vertical positions so as to accommodate different jumping heights related to maximum jumping heights of the individual;   means operable for supporting and displacing said object support means vertically to the plurality of discrete positions;   a sport object selected to be grasped and displaced by the individual while jumping;   first means including cable means connected to said object for allowing the individual to displace said object from an initial at-rest position upon the individual successfully jumping and displacing said object and for allowing active automatic mechanical retraction of said object to said initial at-rest position upon release of said object by the individual so as to allow for repetitive jumps;   said first means being connected to and vertically movable with said object supporting means so as to enhance selective vertical adjustment of said object;   said supporting end displacing means includes a rotatable shaft and a linear actuator operatively connected thereto, said actuator also being connected to said object supporting means and being operable in response to rotation of said shaft to convert the rotary motion to vertical motion of said actuator to vertically displace said object supporting means.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means operatively connected to said shaft so as to measure distance said object supporting means is displaced. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said retracting means is connected to said object supporting means. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus for use in enhancing explosive jumping leg power of an individual comprising: object supporting means vertically movable to a plurality of discrete vertical positions so as to accommodate different jumping heights;   means operable for supporting and displacing said object support means vertically to the discrete positions;   a sport object adapted to be physically engaged and at least vertically displaced by the individual while jumping;   first means for allowing an individual to displace said object from an initial at-rest position upon the individual successfully jumping and displacing said object and for allowing active automatic mechanical retraction of said object to said initial at-rest position upon release of said object by the individual so as to allow for repetitive jumps;   said first means being connected to and vertically movable with said object supporting means so as to enhance selective vertical adjustment of said object;   said retracting means for retracting said object to said at-rest position is operable automatically upon release of said object by the individual;   said retracting means includes a spring reel device and a pulley system including a cable attached at one end to said object and an opposite end attached to a counterweight.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said object is a basketball and is interrelated to the jumping activity the individual is seeking improvement in. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said object supporting means is provided with a measuring scale associated therewith, whereby an operator can determine the vertical distance from the ground that said object is when at said initial at-rest position. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for use in enhancing explosive leg power of an individual comprising: object supporting means vertically movable to a plurality of discrete vertical positions so as to accommodate different jumping heights;   means operable for supporting and displacing said object support means vertically to the discrete positions; a sport object adapted to be physically engaged and at least vertically displaced by the individual while jumping;   first means for allowing an individual to displace said object from an initial at-rest position upon the individual successfully jumping and displacing said object and for allowing active automatic mechanical retraction of said object to said initial at-rest position upon release of said object by the individual so as to allow for repetitive jumps;   said first means being connected to and vertically movable with said object supporting means so as to enhance selective vertical adjustment of said object;     said object supporting means includes a carriage assembly which is slidable relative to said supporting means and a beam extending from said carriage.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said displacing means includes a screw arrangement which is rotatable to vertically displace said carriage assembly.